THE gay saloon was throng'd with grace and beauty, While astral rays shone out on lovely eyes, And lovely eyes look'd forth a clearer beam. Fashion was there -- not in her flaunting robes, Lavish of charms -- but that fair sprite who moulds All to her touch, yet leaves it nature still. The light young laugh came reed-like on the ear, Touching the cord of joy, electrical; And smiles too graceful for a sound passed out From ruby lips, like perfume from a flower. Catching the gracious word of courtesy, The listening maid turn'd to the speaker's eye; And bowing in his honour'd lowliness, His manly head inclined to her slight form. There was a hum of social harmony, "Like the soft south" upon the rushing seas. Between its pauses burst the harp's rich tone, Pour'd out by one who fill'd the poet's eye With fond fruition of his classic dream. A voice was there -- clear and distinct it rose, Like evening's star when other stars are dim; Clear, sweet and lonely, as that southern bird's Who on far turrets trills his midnight lay. In the heart's cavern, deep that voice went down, Waking up echoes of the silent past. O woman! lovely in thy beauty's power! Thrice lovely, when we know that thou canst turn To duty's path, and tread it with a smile. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HIS OWNE EPITAPH by FRANCOIS VILLON THE GIANT PUFFBALL by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE ROSE TREE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TO SAN FRANCISCO by SAMUEL JOHN ALEXANDER LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 1. LORD CRASHTON by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM |